November 2024 Ballot Measures: Key Issues and Outcomes

November 2024 Ballot Measures: Details and Outcomes

Overview

On November 5, 2024, voters in 41 states decided on a total of 146 statewide ballot measures. These measures covered a wide range of issues, including abortion, property taxes, marijuana legalization, and constitutional amendments. Below are detailed summaries of some key ballot measures and their outcomes.

Key Ballot Measures and Outcomes

1. California Propositions
   • Proposition 3: This measure aimed to amend the California Constitution to remove language that defines marriage as only between a man and a woman, thus recognizing the fundamental right to marry regardless of sex or race. The outcome was not provided in the reference content, but it is a significant measure for marriage equality.
   • Proposition 4: This measure authorized $10 billion in general obligation bonds for safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, and protecting communities and natural lands from climate risks. The state costs for repaying the bond are estimated to be about $400 million annually for 40 years.
   • Proposition 5: This measure allowed local bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure with 55% voter approval. The borrowing would be repaid with higher property taxes.
   • Proposition 6: This measure eliminated the constitutional provision allowing involuntary servitude for incarcerated persons, thus removing the provision that allows jails and prisons to impose involuntary servitude to punish crime.
   • Proposition 32: This measure raised the minimum wage to $18 per hour by 2026, with potential state and local government costs increasing or decreasing by up to hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
   • Proposition 33: This measure repealed the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995 and expanded local governments' authority to enact rent control on residential property.
   • Proposition 34: This measure required certain health care entities to follow new rules about how they spend revenue earned from a federal drug discount program.
   • Proposition 35: This measure provided permanent funding for Medi-Cal health care services.
   • Proposition 36: This measure allowed felony charges and increased sentences for certain drug and theft crimes if the defendant has two prior drug or theft convictions.
2. North Dakota Propositions
   • Local Property Taxes: This measure proposed to outlaw most local property taxes, which would force the state to provide an estimated $3.15 billion in replacement revenue to local governments during each two-year budget. The measure aimed to address rising property taxes and the complexity of the taxation system. The outcome was not provided in the reference content.
   • Recreational Marijuana: This measure sought to legalize the recreational possession and use of marijuana for people 21 and older. It included numerous regulations on production, processing, and use, as well as home cultivation limits. The outcome was not provided in the reference content.
   • Constitutional Amendments: These measures included changing outdated terms related to disabilities in the state constitution and administrative changes for the state’s oil tax savings. The outcomes were not provided in the reference content.
3. New York Propositions
   • Abortion-Related Measure: This measure dealt with abortion-related issues, but specific details and outcomes were not provided in the reference content.
4. Other States
   • Florida: The state required a 60% vote to approve constitutional amendments, indicating a high threshold for changes to the state constitution.
   • Arizona, Montana, and Nevada: These states voted on significant changes to how their elections are run, although specific outcomes were not detailed in the reference content.

Voter Turnout

Voter turnout for the November 2024 election varied across states, with significant engagement in key battleground states. However, specific turnout figures for the ballot measures were not provided in the reference content.

Preview

Conclusion

The November 2024 ballot measures covered a wide array of issues, reflecting the diverse concerns of voters across the United States. While some measures aimed to address long-standing social issues like marriage equality and property taxes, others focused on legal and constitutional changes. The outcomes of these measures will have lasting impacts on the states' legislative and social landscapes.